Actress Jaya Ahsan is always in discussion with new movies in Bengali. Rather than Bangladesh, his seat in the Calcutta scene is quite strong. However, Jaya feels that the makers and artists of Bangladesh work with more ‘love and courage’.
Glitz had a long talk with this actress recently. In words, Jaya highlighted the difference between the work of the two Bengals. Tell about his future work. Apart from this, the actress also spoke openly about the reason for returning the government grant money of the movie ‘Raeed’.
Glitz: How did you spend Baisakh?
Jaya: I always try to stay in Bangladesh on Pahela Boishakh. This year’s Baisakht has also been great. Traveled, painted Alpana, organized panta, bharta with the whole family and had food and drink. It was very nice.
Glitz: You were supposed to do a film called ‘Raeed’ from your production company ‘C Te Cinema’. What is the reason for withdrawing the grant money from the movie?
Jaya: The first reason is that the movie work was stalled for a long time. Director Mejbaur Rahman Sumon was taking a long time to start the work. Government grants have certain rules. The 60 lakh rupees that the government allocated to us for this film is not only the government’s money, not even my money, it is the people’s money. This is a big responsibility for me. Since it takes time I thought it could be returned. I didn’t want to make a fuss. Because it has the respect of my name, the respect of the production house, the respect of my director. Maybe another time the movie will be thought of in a different way.
Glitz: Granted the film could be extended, was refunding the money the solution?
Jaya: I actually extended the time two or three times then I felt like it shouldn’t be extended any more. I had earlier made a movie ‘Devi’ which was much appreciated, talked about. If we delay this movie so much it will not be good for any of us. So I took this decision after talking to the director.
Glitz: How busy is the upcoming work?
Jaya: I am doing a web series of Ashfaq Nipun, the producer of the country Which will be my first web series in Bangladesh. Moreover, I have started working on a movie called ‘Dear Ma’ in Kolkata. Directed by Aniruddha Roy Chowdhury. I will start working on the movie very soon.
Glitz: What is the difference in the way of work in the two Bengals?
Jaya: There is not much difference actually. Except for some linguistic terms, the style of work, emotions, dialogues, culture all seem the same to me. But we are ahead in the place of our courage. No shield, no sword, shout like Nidhiram Sardar to tell our story, show love for work. From that place it seems we are very brave. But in that Bengal, everyone works together, decides what will happen after work and starts the work at once. So there are changes in some places, but almost the same thing. Many of our works are highly appreciated there. It reached my ears.
Glitz: Any work in Bollywood?
Jaya: Nothing is happening right now. But maybe in the future. I will finish the two or three tasks that are in hand now
Glitz: Awarded four times in a row at Filmfare, how proud are you as a Bangladeshi?
Jaya: Whenever I receive an award for Bangladesh, even if it is on foreign soil, I am more happy to receive the award for Bangladesh than it is for me. In this year’s film fair, many people from Bangladesh got nominations, got awards which is a big deal and very proud.
Glitz: How do you see Dhaka’s acting artists becoming more interested in Kolkata’s work these days?
Jaya: In my opinion, an artist will push the boundaries as far as possible. I also once started working here, then went to work there. An artist should have no world or boundaries. An artist will work everywhere. It needs no reason.
Q. You were recently seen singing in a song. How was that experience?
Jaya: In the third season of ‘Coke Studio Bangla’, I gave voice to the song ‘Tanti’. I always try to represent muslin and jamdani of Bangladesh in different places outside the country. From that place when Arnab (Shayan Chowdhury Arnab) said, ‘Jaya you come with the work. We think you’d better stay’. I also thought it was a good initiative. It can be a good dedication for our textile industry. So in the song I sang the song not as actress Jaya Ahsan but as one of the music team.
Glitz: You have been heard to play back movie songs at various times, have you ever learned music?
Jaya: Rabindra Sangeet was learned in childhood. As a child, my parents taught me music to get good grades in music school, that’s how I learned. But I love music very much. I have a great interest in classical music in particular. Playback in which they are for my movies I sang Rabindra Sangeet ‘Tomar Khola Hawa’ in the movie ‘Dubsantaar’. Besides, I sang the song ‘Jungle Dak’ in the movie ‘Parle Theka’. I did a song sung by Devjyoti Mishra for the movie ‘Bini Sutoy’ directed by Atanu Ghosh from Kolkata.
Glitz: What can you get as a full-fledged playback singer?
Jaya: I didn’t think of it that way. If necessary I will definitely do it for films, if for work I will sing songs
